WKU Regents Approve
$211 Million 2003-04 Budget

June 17, 2003

Bowling Green, Ky. - The Western Kentucky University Board of Regents today approved the university's 2003-04 combined budgets of $211.788 million. That includes $196.1 million for the educational and general budget and $15.6 million for auxiliaries.

Estimated educational and general revenue includes $72 million from state appropriation (36.7 percent), $64.4 million from tuition and fees (32.9 percent), $47.5 million in restricted funding, such as grants and contracts (24.2 percent) and $12.1 mill17ion in other funding sources (6.2 percent).

The budget includes an average 3.7 percent salary increase for University employees, a $40 per month increase per employee in the University's health insurance contribution and $1 million in permanent funding for additional faculty positions.

That fund will pay for an additional 20 faculty positions, WKU President Gary Ransdell said. However, he added that enrollment growth has created the need for a minimum of 70 new faculty positions.

"This is the best we can do," Dr. Ransdell said. "We are filling our most urgent needs, those in our core areas, created by our enrollment growth." WKU's enrollment has grown more than 20 percent since 1997.

Other budget highlights include:

· More than $6.4 million in funding for faculty/staff compensation and new positions.

· Funds to fully utilize Mass Media and Technology Hall, which will open this fall.

· Increased funds for fellowships, scholarships and grants-in-aid consistent with increases in tuition and mandatory fees.

The budget takes effect July 1.

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